Langley Centennial: Airshow to bring AirPower over Hampton Roads

Daily Press photojournalist went on a ride along with the GEICO skytypers as a preview for Langley Air Force Base. Langley AFB commemorates 100 years with an open house featuring flight performances, air demonstrations and displays on April 22-24, 2016.

Daily Press photojournalist went on a ride along with the GEICO skytypers as a preview for Langley Air Force Base. Langley AFB commemorates 100 years with an open house featuring flight performances, air demonstrations and displays on April 22-24, 2016.

Inclement weather has prompted Langley AirPower over Hampton Roads officials to cancel Friday's events. Check back at dailypress.com for updates.

Previously

If you’re curious what goes on behind the gates at Langley Air Force Base, this weekend provides ample opportunity to learn about it firsthand.

Langley is celebrating its centennial anniversary, and with it comes an open house and the first AirPower Over Hampton Roads air show in five years.

“Being on the Peninsula for 100 years, Langley has really had a good partnership with Hampton Roads so it’s kind of a way to showcase the 100 years with that partnership and supporting us and letting them see what we do every day and the capabilities of America’s only air force and best air force in the world,” said base spokeswoman Tech Sgt. Katie Ward.

Langley Air Force Base commemorates 100 years with an open house featuring flight performances, air demonstrations and displays on April 22-24, 2016. Purchase pictures by Daily Press photographers.

(Daily Press)

The weekend kicks off with an evening of air and music performances and fireworks. Gates open at 5 p.m., and Langley AFB’s Air Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Team and the U.S. Army Golden Knights will perform from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Country music artist Craig Morgan, a Tennessee native and Army veteran, will perform from 7:30 to 8:30. The evening will be capped off with a show of pyrotechnic displays, the SHOCKWAVE Jet Truck and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday’s events begin when gates open at 9 a.m. The Budweiser Clydesdales will make an appearance from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m.

The bulk of the weekend’s performers are then set to take to the air until 3:30 p.m. Scheduled during that time are the F-22 Demonstration Team; the Air Force Heritage Flight team, which features vintage planes alongside modern aircraft; and the GEICO Skytypers, a flight squadron of six vintage U.S. Navy planes.

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Daily Press photojournalist went on a ride along with the GEICO skytypers as a preview for Langley Air Force Base. Langley AFB commemorates 100 years with an open house featuring flight performances, air demonstrations and displays on April 22-24, 2016.

Daily Press photojournalist went on a ride along with the GEICO skytypers as a preview for Langley Air Force Base. Langley AFB commemorates 100 years with an open house featuring flight performances, air demonstrations and displays on April 22-24, 2016.

CAPTION

Daily Press photojournalist went on a ride along with the GEICO skytypers as a preview for Langley Air Force Base. Langley AFB commemorates 100 years with an open house featuring flight performances, air demonstrations and displays on April 22-24, 2016.

Daily Press photojournalist went on a ride along with the GEICO skytypers as a preview for Langley Air Force Base. Langley AFB commemorates 100 years with an open house featuring flight performances, air demonstrations and displays on April 22-24, 2016.

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Historian John Quarstein discusses some of the early aviation luminaries who made regular visits to Langley.

Historian John Quarstein discusses some of the early aviation luminaries who made regular visits to Langley.

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Historian John Quarstein discusses the rise and evolution of Langley Air Field.

Historian John Quarstein discusses the rise and evolution of Langley Air Field.

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Historian John Quarstein talks about the relationship between the city of Hampton and Langley.

Historian John Quarstein talks about the relationship between the city of Hampton and Langley.

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Historian John Quarstein talks about the impact of air power pioneer Billy Mitchell and his legacy at Langley.

Historian John Quarstein talks about the impact of air power pioneer Billy Mitchell and his legacy at Langley.

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds, a squadron of F-16s performing aerial maneuvers, will perform at 3:30 p.m. both days. Between air shows, visitors can also see a range of modern and vintage aircraft on the ground on display.

As of Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of showers Friday night, and 40 percent chance on Saturday. Sunday is projected to be a high of 70 with sunny skies. Ward said despite a less-than-favorable forecast, all events were still planned according to schedule.

Some of the Thunderbird pilots will be visiting students at the Denbigh High School Aviation Academy on Friday morning.

“We have kids already talking about the air show, and it’s been several years since it’s been here, so I think that’s kind of brought, if you pardon, a buzz about some of the things kids are talking about,” Director Aaron Smith said. “You can hear them in the cafeteria and a little in the classroom. I think it’s kind of, when you see it and you touch it and you can just be out there experiencing it, that kind of reminds them what it’s all about.”

Langley Field became the center of a long campaign to redefine the role of air power in the 1930s, with Brig. Gen. Frank M. Andrews using General Headquarters Air Force and the 2nd Bombardment Group to stage a series of long-distance flying demonstrations showcasing the potential of the big, four-engine B-17 as a coastal defense and offensive weapon. -- Mark St. John Erickson

Ward said that’s the overall goal of the open house – to let the public know more about what’s going on at Langley AFB when a plane rumbles overhead.

“At Langley, we’re really excited to be able to provide this up-close experience for the community (since) a lot of folks in Hampton Roads are veterans or retired or their families are in (the military),” Ward said.